Published: Wednesday, February 13, 2013 at 2:32 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, February 13, 2013 at 2:32 p.m.

By next year, one of the remaining gaps in Wilmington's Riverwalk could be filled.

The popular downtown Wilmington focal point was envisioned as running from the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge to the Isabel Holmes Bridge, or "bridge to bridge."

But it isn't quite there.

Today, you can walk for 1 mile continuously on the Riverwalk. But this year crews are expected to add a missing link that will increase it to 1.75 miles.

The continuous portion of the Riverwalk currently runs from Nun Street north to Hanover Street at the edge of the Convention Center.

Another portion of the Riverwalk, which is about 800 feet long, starts at the Isabel Holmes Bridge and runs south to Cowan Street, said city engineer David Cowell.

The upcoming project would connect that northern piece to the convention center, meaning a continuous Riverwalk would run from the Isabel Holmes Bridge south to Nun Street.

In his Jan. 28 State of the City speech, Mayor Bill Saffo touted the city's commitment to investing the Riverwalk, which he said has become one of the community's most popular attractions.

"Later this spring, we will begin construction for one of the few remaining sections of the Riverwalk, which will extend it from bridge to shining bridge," Saffo said in his speech.

Technically, the Riverwalk still doesn't reach as far south as the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge.

The city's long-term vision is for the Riverwalk to go from bridge to bridge, Cowell said. But extending the bridge south of Nun Street to Dram Tree Park is not budgeted or planned in the city's five-year list of upcoming capital projects, Cowell said.

That's not to say it won't be done, but there are limited resources, Cowell said, adding that the focus is now on the north end.

The northern missing link, from Cowan to Hanover streets, is planned to be built in two sections. The city has an agreement where Riverfront Holdings II, which has plans to develop a marina along the northern riverfront, will build the Riverwalk. Cowell said the city will reimburse the developers for the cost.

Work to build the first section will be getting underway soon, while construction of the second section – which is under design – could start later this year, Cowell said.

The Riverwalk is popular with locals and visitors alike, said Connie Nelson, the communications/public relations director for the Wilmington and Beaches Convention & Visitors Bureau.

The bureau maintains a seasonal kiosk at the foot of Market Street by the Riverwalk because it attracts so many visitors, Nelson said. In 2005, a sampling of visitors identified the ocean and the historic riverfront as their two favorite aspects from the trip.

Since the 2005 questionnaire, Nelson noted the city has made improvements to the Riverwalk.

Last year, the city installed 13 new historical signs along the Riverwalk. The $118,000 project included additional banners and pennants, and pavement marking that show where the Riverwalk follows the sidewalk.

The city's five-year improvement plan budgets $4.8 million for work along the Riverwalk and the riverfront. Much of the money will be used to repair bulkheads or stabilize the shoreline.

The city also has plans to make significant improvements to Riverfront Park. Those improvements, which will overhaul the park between Market and Princess streets, will start in January 2014.

Construction should be completed by January 2015, according to the city.

<p>By next year, one of the remaining gaps in Wilmington's Riverwalk could be filled.</p><p>The popular downtown Wilmington focal point was envisioned as running from the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge to the Isabel Holmes Bridge, or "bridge to bridge."</p><p>But it isn't quite there.</p><p>Today, you can walk for 1 mile continuously on the Riverwalk. But this year crews are expected to add a missing link that will increase it to 1.75 miles.</p><p>The continuous portion of the Riverwalk currently runs from Nun Street north to Hanover Street at the edge of the Convention Center.</p><p>Another portion of the Riverwalk, which is about 800 feet long, starts at the Isabel Holmes Bridge and runs south to Cowan Street, said city engineer David Cowell.</p><p>The upcoming project would connect that northern piece to the convention center, meaning a continuous Riverwalk would run from the Isabel Holmes Bridge south to Nun Street.</p><p>In his Jan. 28 State of the City speech, Mayor <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic72"><b>Bill Saffo</b></a> touted the city's commitment to investing the Riverwalk, which he said has become one of the community's most popular attractions.</p><p>"Later this spring, we will begin construction for one of the few remaining sections of the Riverwalk, which will extend it from bridge to shining bridge," Saffo said in his speech.</p><p>Technically, the Riverwalk still doesn't reach as far south as the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge.</p><p>The city's long-term vision is for the Riverwalk to go from bridge to bridge, Cowell said. But extending the bridge south of Nun Street to Dram Tree Park is not budgeted or planned in the city's five-year list of upcoming capital projects, Cowell said.</p><p>That's not to say it won't be done, but there are limited resources, Cowell said, adding that the focus is now on the north end. </p><p>The northern missing link, from Cowan to Hanover streets, is planned to be built in two sections. The city has an agreement where Riverfront Holdings II, which has plans to develop a marina along the northern riverfront, will build the Riverwalk. Cowell said the city will reimburse the developers for the cost.</p><p>Work to build the first section will be getting underway soon, while construction of the second section – which is under design – could start later this year, Cowell said.</p><p>The Riverwalk is popular with locals and visitors alike, said Connie Nelson, the communications/public relations director for the Wilmington and Beaches Convention & Visitors Bureau. </p><p>The bureau maintains a seasonal kiosk at the foot of Market Street by the Riverwalk because it attracts so many visitors, Nelson said. In 2005, a sampling of visitors identified the ocean and the historic riverfront as their two favorite aspects from the trip. </p><p>Since the 2005 questionnaire, Nelson noted the city has made improvements to the Riverwalk. </p><p>Last year, the city installed 13 new historical signs along the Riverwalk. The $118,000 project included additional banners and pennants, and pavement marking that show where the Riverwalk follows the sidewalk. </p><p>The city's five-year improvement plan budgets $4.8 million for work along the Riverwalk and the riverfront. Much of the money will be used to repair bulkheads or stabilize the shoreline.</p><p>The city also has plans to make significant improvements to Riverfront Park. Those improvements, which will overhaul the park between Market and Princess streets, will start in January 2014.</p><p>Construction should be completed by January 2015, according to the city. </p><p>Julian March: 343-2099</p><p>On <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/news41"><b>Twitter</b></a>: @julian_march</p>